Territories of the cities, territories of the ports, what future in common?

Over the last few decades, port cities have had to adapt to the considerable evolution in maritime transport. Faced with large increases in the flow of goods and ship capacity, numerous ports have had to totally or partially relocate their port facilities to remain competitive. Such port expansions have been made by either extending existing facilities or relocating to new sites significant distances from the original port.

Hence the metropolitan region has been substituted for the city as an appropriate territorial framework for the development of the port. Historic port cities have been able to benefit from this change through large urban redevelopment projects of former port areas which have enhanced their waterfronts and opened up waterfrontage for the public. There are few ports in the world which have not been affected by either significant expansion or relocation and redevelopment of historic wharf areas.

However, with increasing globalisation and the necessity for sustainable development of the city-port territories, the rules of the game are changing. In order to ensure the best outcomes for society, the economic benefits derived by maritime and port operators should be balanced by the requirements of sustainable development and the preservation of maritime lands in the best interests of all users of coastal and port areas.

Today, cities and ports are learning to live together within the constraints of a global economy. Together, they have to be able to provide outcomes which meet the demand of society in terms of employment, quality of life, safety and the environment.

However, it is essential in planning for the inter-relationship between a city and a port, set in an ever widening regional framework, that not only the benefits but also the costs of any development are assessed in ensuring a common goal.

The choices are then as much political as economic, however much can be learnt from previous international experiences. Today’s decisions are crucial for future port-city relationships.